Admission requirements
- Only students of the MSc Crisis and Security Management can take this course.
Description
The provision of security has increased in complexity over time, and so have security studies. The provision of security is divided amongst several international, state, corporate, and private actors, intertwined in ever more complex networks and constellations. Such complex and dynamic arrangements benefit from being able, in principle, to respond to complex modes of (in)security. The complexity of security threats increases in our interconnected societies, characterized by technological advancement, geopolitical threats, cybersecurity breaches, polarization, and climate change. However, dealing with such complexity comes with significant trade-offs, for instance, regarding responsiveness, efficiency, legitimacy, and, often, effectiveness of security actors and constellations. Security studies was born in response to the evident shortcomings of mainstream international relations theory, but security studies is arguably reaching a similar point of inflection where the standard models and approaches are no longer sufficient. New modes of (in)security appear, while traditional (geopolitical) threats revive, which means that students, scholars, and practitioners must brave real critical self-reflection. We need to understand not that we have often got it wrong but try to analyze why we have failed to understand (in)security—and then take on the risks of asserting and defending new ideas, approaches, and policies. The purpose of this course is to (quickly) get students up to speed on the forefront of security studies, then, together with scholars and policymakers, delve into the puzzles that define the field today, from crisis studies to terrorism, social violence, intelligence, cybercrimes, and war.
Course Objectives
After finalising this course, students are able to:
- Identify the different types of actors responsible for providing security and recount, using practical examples, how and why each of these actors have competencies in providing security.
- Discuss and compare theories that can be used to analyze interaction and the division of responsibilities between security actors.
- Identify the different ways security providers coordinate actions with each other in a security constellation and diagnose the challenges that they face.
- Distinguish current and future ways technological advancement impacts the provision of security on the different levels discussed, both positively and negatively.
- Engage in debate with stakeholders on the multi-actor and multi-level nature of security provision, the coordination between different actors, and accountability issues.
Timetable
On the right side of programme front page of the studyguide you will find links to the website and timetables, uSis and Brightspace.
Mode of Instruction
This course consists of seven seminars.
Attendance is highly recommended
Total study load: 140 hours
Lectures: 21 hours
Self-study and examinations: 119 hours
In this 5 ects course, we will focus on the research skill assignment that is going to be part of your portfolio. Specific information on the portfolio assignment and the intended learning outcomes that are being acquired will be published in the syllabus of this course.
Assessment method
Assessment for this course is based on two assignments:
Midterm assignment
Pass/Fail
A pass is required to pass the course. The midterm assignment will also be an important part of the portfolio.
Resit possible
Final exam
100% of total grade
The grade must be 5.50 or higher to pass the course
Resit possible
The calculated overall course grade must be at least 5.50 in order to pass the course..
In the case of written assessment methods, the examiner can always initiate a follow-up conversation with the student to establish whether the learning objectives have been met.
transitional arrangements
Following the restructuring of this course passed partial grades obtained in year 2023-2024 are no longer valid during academic year 2024-2025.
Reading list
A selection of books and articles, to be announced on Brightspace.
Registration
Register yourself via MyStudymap for each course, workgroup and exam (not all courses have workgroups and/or exams).
Do so on time, before the start of the course; some courses and workgroups have limited spaces. You can view your personal schedule in MyTimetable after logging in.
Registration for this course is possible from Wednesday 12 July 13.00h
Leiden University uses Brightspace as its online learning management system. After enrolment for the course in MyStudymap you will be automatically enrolled in the Brightspace environment of this course.
After registration for an exam you still need to confirm your attendance via MyStudymap. If you do not confirm, you will ultimately be de-registered and you will not be allowed to take the exam.
More information on registration via MyStudymap can be found on this page.
Contact
Dr. Matthew Hoye j.m.hoye@fgga.leidenuniv.nl